A “grave threat to democracy”. That’s how a recent report from NGO Freedom House characterises the online activities of an increasing number of states.

According to the study, in 2017, 30 goverments used the internet to distort information online, using a variety of tools, including trolls, bots, automated accounts, paid commentators and fake news.

Freedom House says the number of regimes weaponising the internet is on the rise – there were 23 countries on the list last year – and a growing number of leaders are seeking to emulate these repressive practices.